In post-mission documentation, what is the purpose of including times?

• A. To confuse readers.
• B. To establish the timeline of the search pattern and determine durations.
• C. To replace weather data.
• D. Times are optional.

Answer: (B)

Times in post-mission documentation provide the running timeline of what was done and how long each part took. Recording when actions occurred and the duration of each search leg creates a verifiable narrative you can review later.

This matters because it shows the sequence of events, confirms that search patterns covered the intended areas, and reveals how long resources were active or paused. With timestamps, supervisors and teammates can assess efficiency, identify gaps in coverage, and correlate actions with outcomes or external factors. It also helps coordinate with other assets by matching their activities to specific times.

Times are not meant to replace weather data, and they aren’t optional—accurate time records are essential to accurately reconstruct what happened and why.